Review of experimental investigation on directly irradiated particles solar reactors

Solar thermochemistry is a technology that has been demonstrated to contain a high potential development capability. In order to carry out efficient solar chemical reactions, optimized reactors adapted to each chemical process are necessary. In last 30 years many solar reactors of different configurations, performances and sizes have been designed and fabricated by the main solar chemistry research groups. Among them, directly irradiated particles solar reactors operate in a high temperature range that usually correspond to gas-solid thermochemical reactions. This work compiles more than 20 directly irradiated particles reactors designed, constructed and experimentally investigated in the last 30 years. Their description, schemes and main parameters of their performance are given. Detected problems associated are also mentioned. Reactors are classified from the point of view of chemical engineering in entrained, fluidized and stacked beds. Finally, a summary of the main characteristics of reviewed reactors is provided. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.